English Name: Sponge Gourd / Luffa/ Egyptian Luffa
Common Hindi Name: Gilki / Chikni Turai
- Luffa is 1-2ft long, cylindrical, smooth skinned gourd. The interior contains white flesh.
- It is an annual climbing vine, grown both for its edible fruits and as a source of sponges.
- The young fruits, when small, (around 6 inches) are cooked like other vegetables. They are also used in soup or stew.
- The older fruits produce a fibrous vascular system. This fibrous structure is bleached and dried to be used as a sponge. The sponge can be used as bathroom sponge, packing material, for making crafts, and as filters. It is environmentally safe, biodegradable and a renewable resource.